In one city, handguns over assault weapons

DAYTON (AP) -- Authorities in one Ohio city are more concerned about large-capacity magazines than assault weapons that are the subject of debate in Washington.

Last year there were 27 homicides in Dayton, with handguns the preferred weapon and just one case involving an assault rifle. Most of the handguns had large-capacity magazines.

The sheriff in Montgomery County, which includes Dayton, says it has investigated more homicides involving frying pans in the past three years than assault weapons.

According to the Dayton Daily News, the most popular tool for killers in Dayton is a semi-automatic handgun -- mostly 9mm and .40 caliber pistols -- which were used in 24 shootings last year. Four revolvers and one semi-automatic rifle were used. The weapon in one shooting is still being investigated.

Three people were beaten to death last year, and one was killed with a knife.

A 2004 study commissioned by the U.S. Department of Justice found that assault weapons were used in about 2 percent of gun crimes, according to most studies, and no more than 8 percent.

The federal study found that up to 26 percent of gun crimes involved the use of a large-capacity magazine, defined as holding more than 10 rounds.